If looks could kill, then UFC middleweight fighter Rich Franklin would be very scared.
But it’s a good thing for Rich that the UFC fights involve a little more than facial features.
At UFC 99 in Koln, Germany, Franklin will look to rebound off a split decision loss at the hands of Dan Henderson at UFC 93. In the same respect his opponent, Wanderlei Silva, will be looking to show doubters that they are wrong in saying that his career may be over at the ripe age of 33.
Silva's last bout was very important; with a win over bitter rival Quinton "Rampage" Jackson Silva would have been thrust into a possible title shot with Rashad Evans.
Now, he looks to get back on track, and prove that the "Axe Murderer" still has it.
Franklin is at a very awkward point in his MMA career as well.
Constantly fighting at 185 for most of his career, his last fight saw him jump back into the 205 lb division against former-Pride Light Heavyweight Champion Dan Henderson, only to be bested on two of three judges scorecards.
The loss now put Franklin into that tough point in a fighter's career, where losses aren't something to be taken lightly.
There are pros and cons for both fighters, mainly cons for both, but that should make for a very good fight for fans, as neither fighter can afford to lose.
For Franklin, a loss digs him into deeper obscurity, and indecision.
For Silva, a loss could mean a change of scenery, or worse, a serious look at young retirement.
Though relatively the same could be said for Franklin, it would appear Silva's reputation for being a totally dominant fighter could dissolve with another devastating loss.
Regardless of the outcome, fans will not want to blink during this fight.
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